Emiya Family

Lore & Background

The Emiya family's story begins with Kiritsugu Emiya, a man who survived the Fourth Holy Grail War and later saved a young Shirou from a city fire. Kiritsugu inspired Shirou to become a hero and avoid killing during fights. Shirou, the main protagonist of Fate/stay night, accidentally participates in the Fifth Holy Grail War alongside six other mages. He develops his own magical skills while fighting alongside the servant Saber. Depending on the player's choices, Shirou forms relationships with other characters. In the Unlimited Blade Works route, Shirou's resolve is tested as he confronts his ideals and his future self, Archer. In the Heaven's Feel route, he abandons his lifelong passion of becoming a hero to become Sakura Matou's ally.

Did You Know?

• Shirou Emiya was originally conceived as a female character named Ayaka Sajyou, but artist Takashi Takeuchi suggested swapping the sexes of the protagonist and Saber to fit the game market.
• Shirou's character theme is titled 'Emiya', and remixes were created to focus on important scenes related to his character.
• Writer Kinoko Nasu described Shirou as a joyless hero disinterested in the war, denying himself personal happiness in order to save as many people as possible.
• In the Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya 3rei!! spin-off, Shirou uses a magical card that dresses him in Archer's clothes, with his right arm remaining uncovered.
• Shirou is regularly voiced in Japanese by Noriaki Sugiyama as a teenager and Junko Noda as a child.